Jem Shopping Mall's Opening Delay Due to Tenant Permit Issues

retail king

SINGAPORE: It was not the start that Jem - Singapore's third-largest suburban mall - was looking for.

The mall was due to open on Tuesday but this has been delayed due to tenant permit issues.

Jem said it is still processing the final permits needed for tenants to start operations.

Channel NewsAsia understands from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) that none of the units in Jem applied for a Fire Safety Certificate or Temporary Fire Permit (TFP).

The TFP is needed for commercial premises and its units to begin operations.

SCDF said it has only received applications online from some of the units on Monday evening.

Jem announced the delay on its Facebook page at 1.24am on Tuesday. This prompted hundreds of comments from netizens, mostly expressing disappointment.

To soothe customers, Jem gave out discount vouchers worth S$10 to shoppers, between 10 and 11am on Tuesday.

It was not just the shoppers who needed answers.

Furniture store Courts said it is disappointed, especially since it had rushed to open its store on time.

Meanwhile, DIY store Home-Fix said the delay in opening also means higher costs.

Angela Teo, assistant marcomm manager at Home-Fix, said: "There are some opportunity costs incurred to us, as well as manpower costs. Opportunity costs, such as like, because we've already planned some marketing activities as well. So it's about an average of S$5,000 a day."

Jem has not said if there will be compensation for retailers.

It has also yet to announce a new opening date.

- CNA/xq